Method, system, and device for determining a location of micro digital signage devices

ABSTRACT

A device, system, and method for determining a location of micro digital signage devices includes generating and transmitting a unique identifier corresponding to each micro digital signage device. Each micro digital signage device is to display its corresponding unique identifier and capture an image of other micro digital signage devices located on an opposite side of an aisle. The captured images are to be stitched together to generate a composite image. The unique identifiers of the micro digital signage devices are to be identified and the location of each micro digital signage device is to be determined using a known location of one of the micro digital signage devices as a reference. Each micro digital signage device identified from the composite image is to clear its corresponding unique identifier from display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/631,484, entitled “Method, System, and Device for Determining aLocation of Micro Digital Signage Devices,” which was filed on Sep. 28,2012.

BACKGROUND

Labels and tags are used by retail stores to display price and productinformation to nearby consumers. For each product being sold, a separatelabel or tag is typically affixed to the front edge of the shelf uponwhich the product is located. The information (e.g., price, description,barcode, stock-keeping unit number, etc.) displayed on a shelf label ortag is static and typically embodied as physical print on a substratemedium such as a paper, plastic, or canvas. Manually managing thatinformation for each of the products is time consuming and prone toerrors.

Micro digital signage devices are also used to display price and productinformation to nearby consumers. Unlike shelf labels and tags embodiedas physical print on a substrate medium, micro digital signage devicesmay be configured to display digital content received from a server. Asa result, the information (e.g., a product price) displayed by a microdigital signage device may be dynamically changed. Micro digital signagedevices may also be configured to gather data about consumers, which maybe analyzed by the server to detect different consumer patterns. To doso, the server must be able determine the micro digital signage deviceand the location from which the data was gathered. However, inenvironments wherein a larger number of micro digital signage devicesare deployed, manually configuring location information for each microdigital signage device may be time consuming and prone to errors. Inaddition, because of the close proximity of micro digital signagedevices to one another, detecting location information for each of themicro digital signage devices using radio frequency triangulation,global positioning coordinates, or other location determinationmechanisms is also difficult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The concepts described herein are illustrated by way of example and notby way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity andclarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Where considered appropriate, referencelabels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding oranalogous elements.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of asystem for determining a location of micro digital signage devices andmanaging micro digital signage devices;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of amicro digital signage device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of anenvironment of the micro digital signage server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of themicro digital signage devices of FIG. 1 attached to a shelving unitlocated on one side of an aisle;

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of ashopping aisle including the micro digital signage devices of FIGS. 1and 2 on both sides;

FIGS. 6A-6F are simplified block diagrams of at least one embodiment ofimages of the micro digital signage devices of FIG. 4 located on oneside of an aisle captured by micro digital signage devices located onthe other side of the aisle;

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of animage of one side of the aisle of FIG. 4 stitched together using theimages of FIGS. 6A-6F captured by micro digital signage devices locatedon the other side of the aisle;

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of themicro digital signage devices of FIG. 4 not identified by the microdigital signage server of FIGS. 1 and 3 using the composite image ofFIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a simplified flow diagram of at least one embodiment of amethod for determining a location of the micro digital signage devicesof FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is nointent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the presentdisclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily includethat particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, suchphrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further,when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

The disclosed embodiments may be implemented, in some cases, inhardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosedembodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried by or storedon a transitory or non-transitory machine-readable (e.g.,computer-readable) storage medium, which may be read and executed by oneor more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be embodied asany storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure for storingor transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., avolatile or non-volatile memory, a media disc, or other media device).

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown inspecific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should beappreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not berequired. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged ina different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures.Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in aparticular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required inall embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may becombined with other features.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a system 100 for determininga location of and managing a micro digital signage (“MDS”) device 122includes one or more MDS devices 120, an MDS server 102, and a network130. A plurality of the MDS devices 120 may be linearly interconnectedand attached to or otherwise coupled to a row of shelves in a retailstore. In some embodiments, each row of shelves in a shelving unit mayinclude a different plurality of the MDS devices 120. The one or moreMDS devices 120 may be configured to display product information (e.g.,product price, product reviews, discount information, recipes, nutritioninformation, promotions, etc.) corresponding to one or more productsassociated therewith. Such product information may be transmitted overthe network 130 by the MDS server 102 and received by one or more of theMDS devices 120. Additionally, the MDS server 102 may transmit othertypes of data (e.g., commands, firmware updates, software updates,images, etc.) to one or more of the MDS devices 120 in some embodiments.

The one or more MDS devices 120 may also be configured to gather dataabout one or more products in a retail store (e.g., a position of aproduct relative to a MDS device 122 or a shelf, a quantity of a productremaining, etc.) or data about actual consumers (e.g., consumerproximity to a MDS device 122, consumer motion relative to a MDS device122, etc.). In some embodiments, the MDS server 102 may be configured toperform consumer traffic pattern analysis or any other type of analysisusing the data gathered from the one or more MDS devices 120. To do so,the MDS server 102 must be able to determine the MDS device 122 and thelocation from which the data was gathered. In environments wherein alarge number of MDS devices 120 are deployed in close proximity to eachother, determining the location of each of the MDS devices 120 usingconventional mechanisms of location determination (e.g., radio frequencytriangulation, global positioning coordinates, etc.) is difficult.Additionally, manually configuring location information for each MDSdevice 122 may be time consuming and prone to errors.

To facilitate determining the location of each of the MDS devices 120,the MDS server 102 may, in some embodiments, transmit a message orotherwise instruct each of the MDS devices 120 to display a differentunique identifier (e.g., a unique number, string, barcode, image, etc.).Thereafter, each of the MDS devices 120 on one side of an aisle may beconfigured to capture an image of one or more other MDS devices 120located on an opposite side of the aisle using an associated camera. Thecaptured images may be transmitted over the network 130 to the MDSserver 102.

Upon to receiving the captured images, the MDS server 102 may stitchtogether the received images to generate a composite image of the one ormore MDS devices 120 located on the opposite side of the aisle. To doso, the MDS server 102 may perform edge detection and/or patternrecognition on each of the received images. In such embodiments, theresulting composite image may be a digital representation of the one ormore MDS devices 120 located on the opposite side of the aisle.

After stitching together the received images into a composite image, theMDS server 102 may be configured to identify the unique identifiers ofthe MDS devices 120 from the composite image. In some embodiments, thelocation of one of the MDS devices 122 may already be known (e.g., amanually configured location, etc.). In such embodiments, the MDS server102 may first identify the unique identifier that corresponds to the MDSdevice 122 for which the location is already known. The MDS server 102may then identify the unique identifiers of the MDS devices 120 locatedin proximity (e.g., directly above, directly to the left, directly tothe right, directly below, two above, two below, etc.) of the MDS device122 for which the location is already known. The MDS server 102 mayperform a similar identification operations for each MDS device 122identified in the composite image. That is, for each MDS device 122identified, the MDS server 102 may identify one or more other “neighbor”MDS devices 120. In that way, the MDS server 102 may determine thelocation of each of the MDS devices 120 located on the opposite side ofthe aisle.

In response to identifying the location of a MDS device 122 from thecomposite image, the MDS server 102 may transmit a message or otherwiseinstruct the identified MDS device 122 to stop displaying its uniqueidentifier. For example, the MDS server 102 may, in some embodiments,instruct the identified MDS device 122 to gray out (e.g., dim, shade,clear, etc.) display its unique identifier. In some embodiments, theunique identifiers corresponding to the MDS devices 120 not able to beidentified by the MDS server 102 may remain displayed. Thereafter, auser or administrator of the system 100 may only be required to enterthe locations of those devices manually.

The MDS server 102 may be embodied as any type of server or computingdevice capable of processing, communicating, storing, maintaining, andtransferring data. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, the MDSserver 102 includes a processor 104, a memory 106, an I/O subsystem 108,a data storage 110, communication circuitry 114, and one or moreperipheral devices 116. Of course, the MDS server 102 may include otheror additional components, such as those commonly found in a serverand/or computer (e.g., various input/output devices), in otherembodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of theillustrative components may be incorporated in, or otherwise from aportion of, another component. For example, the memory 106, or portionsthereof, may be incorporated in the processor 104 in some embodiments.

The processor 104 may be embodied as any type of processor capable ofperforming the functions described herein. For example, the processormay be embodied as a single or multi-core processor(s), digital signalprocessor, microcontroller, or other processor or processing/controllingcircuit. Similarly, the memory 106 may be embodied as any type ofvolatile or non-volatile memory or data storage capable of performingthe functions described herein. In operation, the memory 106 may storevarious data and software used during operation of the MDS server 102such as operating systems, applications, programs, libraries, anddrivers. The memory 106 is communicatively coupled to the processor 104via the I/O subsystem 108, which may be embodied as circuitry and/orcomponents to facilitate input/output operations with the processor 104,the memory 106, and other components of the MDS server 102. For example,the I/O subsystem 108 may be embodied as, or otherwise include, memorycontroller hubs, input/output control hubs, firmware devices,communication links (i.e., point-to-point links, bus links, wires,cables, light guides, printed circuit board traces, etc.) and/or othercomponents and subsystems to facilitate the input/output operations. Insome embodiments, the I/O subsystem 108 may form a portion of asystem-on-a-chip (SoC) and be incorporated, along with the processor104, the memory 106, and other components of the MDS server 102, on asingle integrated circuit chip.

The data storage 110 may be embodied as any type of device or devicesconfigured for the short-term or long-term storage of data such as, forexample, memory devices and circuits, memory cards, hard disk drives,solid-state drives, or other data storage devices. In some embodiments,the data storage 110 may be used to store data associated one or more ofthe MDS devices 120. For example, the data storage 110 may include a MDSlocation database 112. The MDS location database 112 may store locationdata corresponding to one or more of the MDS devices 120. The MDSlocation database 112 may also store any other type of data associatedwith the one or more MDS devices 120. For example, in some embodiments,the MDS location database 112 may also store an Internet Protocol (“IP”)address and a unique identifier for each MDS device 122.

The communication circuitry 114 of the MDS server 102 may be embodied asany number of devices and circuitry for enabling communications betweenthe MDS server 102 and one or more remote computing devices over anetwork 130. For example, the communication circuitry 114 may enablecommunications between the MDS server 102 and one or more of the MDSdevices 120 over the network 130. The communication circuitry 114 may beembodied as a network interface controller (NIC) in some embodiments.The communication circuitry 114 may be further configured to use any oneor more, or combination thereof, communication protocols to communicatewith the network 130 such as, for example, a cellular communicationprotocol (e.g., Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA)), awireless network communication protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi®, WiMAX), a wirednetwork communication protocol (e.g., Ethernet), and/or othercommunication protocols.

The network 130 may be embodied as any number of various wired and/orwireless communication networks. For example, the network 130 may beembodied as or otherwise include a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a mobile network, or a publicly-accessible, globalnetwork such as the Internet. Additionally, the network 130 may includeany number of additional devices to facilitate communication between theMDS server 102 and one or more of the MDS devices 120. For example, insome embodiments, one or more of the MDS devices 120 may communicatewith the MDS server 102 over the network 130 using a wireless accesspoint 132 as a proxy.

The peripheral devices 116 of the MDS server 102 may include any numberof additional input/output devices, interface devices, and/or otherperipheral devices. For example, the peripheral devices 116 may includea display for displaying content to a user, a keyboard, mouse, or otherinput/output peripheral devices.

Each MDS device 122 of the MDS devices 120 may be embodied as any typeof computing device capable of performing the functions describedherein. As described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2, eachof the MDS devices 120 may include various hardware and softwarecomponents (e.g., a processor, memory, and communication circuitry)typically found in a computing device for processing, receiving,storing, and communicating, data over the network 130. Additionally,each MDS device 122 may include a camera 124 to capture images of one ormore other MDS devices 120. In embodiments wherein the system 100includes rows of linearly interconnected MDS devices 120, each row ofMDS devices 120 may include an end MDS device 126 configured as a proxycommunication device.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, each MDS device 122 of theMDS devices 120 includes a processor 204, an I/O subsystem 210, a datastorage 212, communication circuitry 218, the camera 124, and a display222. In some embodiments, the processor 204, I/O subsystem 210,communication circuitry 218, and data storage 212 may include a similarstructure and have similar functionality to the processor 104, I/Osubsystem 108, communication circuitry 114, and data storage 110 of theMDS server 102 and, as such, the description of those components isequally applicable to the corresponding components of the MDS device122. In the illustrative embodiment, the communication circuitry 218 mayadditionally include wireless communication circuitry 220 to facilitatewireless communications 128 between the MDS device 122 and the MDSserver 102. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry 218 of theMDS device 122 may communicate directly with the MDS server 102 via thewireless access point 132 and the network 130. Additionally oralternatively, the communication circuitry 218 of the MDS device 122 maycommunicate with the MDS server 102 through another MDS device 122. Forexample, as discussed above, the MDS device 122 may communicate with theMDS server 102 through an end MDS device 126, which is configured to actas a communication proxy for a plurality of MDS devices 120 linearlyinterconnected in a row.

In various embodiments, the data storage 212 may include uniqueidentifier data 214. As described in more detail below, the uniqueidentifier data 214 may be embodied as, or otherwise include, a uniquenumber sent over the network 130 by the MDS server 102. It should beunderstood that although the unique identifier data 214 is described asbeing embodied as a unique number in the illustrative embodiment, theunique identifier data 214 may be embodied as any type of data suitablefor uniquely identifying the MDS device 122 in other embodiments. Forexample, the unique identifier data 214 of some embodiments may beembodied as, or otherwise include, a unique character string, a uniqueimage, a unique barcode, or any other form of data that uniquelyidentifies the MDS device 122.

As discussed above, the camera 124 of the MDS device 122 may beconfigured to capture images of one or more other MDS devices 120. Inthe illustrative embodiment shown, the camera 124 of the MDS device 122is embodied as an integrated camera. However, although the camera 124 ofthe MDS device 122 of the illustrative embodiment is described asembodying an integrated camera, the camera 124 of other embodiments mayinclude any other type of image capture devices. For example, in someembodiments, the camera 124 may be embodied as a digital point-and-shootcamera, a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, a smart phonecamera, a tablet camera, or any other type of imaging device suitablefor capturing images of one or more other MDS devices 120.

The display 222 of each MDS device 122 may be embodied as any type ofdisplay device for displaying information to a consumer. For example,the display 222 may be configured to display product information (e.g.,product price, product reviews, discount information, recipes, nutritioninformation, promotions, etc.) received from the MDS server 102. Asdescribed in more detail below, the display 222 may also be configuredto display a unique identifier provided by the MDS server 102. In someembodiments, the display 222 of the MDS device 122 may be a colordisplay. The display 222 of the MDS device 122 may be configured todisplay information independently or in cooperation with one or moreneighboring (e.g., interconnected) MDS devices 120. The display 222 mayalso be embodied as a touch-sensitive display for enabling a consumer tointeract with the MDS device 122. For example, the display 222 may beconfigured to enable a consumer to manipulate the product informationbeing displayed or provide feedback regarding one or more productsassociated the MDS device 122.

In some embodiments, several of the foregoing components may beincorporated on a motherboard of the MDS device 122, while othercomponents may be communicatively coupled to the motherboard via, forexample, a peripheral port. Furthermore, it should be appreciated thatthe MDS device 122 may provide other functionality and/or include othercomponents, sub-components, and devices commonly found in a MDS device,which are not illustrated in FIG. 2 for clarity of the description. Forexample, in some embodiments, the MDS device 122 may include one or morecomponents and/or functionality similar the ones described inInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2011/064928.

Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of an environment 300 of the MDSserver 102 includes a display generation module 302, a communicationmodule 304, an image analysis module 306, and the MDS location database112. It should be understood that the environment 300 and/or any of themodules included therein may be implemented in hardware, firmware,software, or any combination thereof. Additionally, it should beappreciated that the MDS server 102 may include other components,sub-components, modules, and devices commonly found in a computingserver device, which are not illustrated in FIG. 3 for clarity of thedescription.

The MDS server 102 may transmit product information (e.g., productprice, product reviews, discount information, recipes, nutritioninformation, promotions, etc.) and other types of data (e.g., uniqueidentifiers, commands, firmware updates, software updates, images, etc.)over the network 130 to one or more of the MDS devices 120.Additionally, the MDS server 102 may be further configured to performconsumer traffic pattern analysis or any other type of analysis usingdata gathered from the one or more MDS devices 120. To do so, the MDSserver 102 determines the MDS device 122 and the location from which thedata was gathered. As discussed, determining the location of each of theMDS devices 120 using conventional mechanisms of location determination(e.g., radio frequency triangulation, global positioning coordinates,etc.) is difficult in environments wherein a large number of MDS devices120 are deployed in close proximity to each other. Further, manuallyconfiguring location information for each MDS device 122 is timeconsuming and may be prone to errors.

The display generation module 302 may generate the product informationand other types of data to be displayed by one or more of the MDSdevices 120. To facilitate determining the location of one or more ofthe MDS devices 120, the display generation module 302 generates aunique identifier for each MDS device 122 in some embodiments. Theunique identifier generated by the display generation module 302 may beembodied as a unique number surrounded on either side by a “dash mark”(e.g., “-23-”, “-897-”, “-34-”, etc.). Additionally or alternatively,the unique identifier may be embodied as a unique character string, animage, a barcode, or any other suitable type of displayable mark ornotation for uniquely identifying each of the MDS devices 120.

The display generation module 302 may also instruct each of the MDSdevices 120 to display content or perform other operations. For example,the display generation module 302 may be configured to generate one ormore messages and/or commands that cause one or more of the MDS devices120 to display its corresponding unique identifier. Similarly, thedisplay generation module 302 may also be configured to cause one ormore of the MDS devices 120 to stop displaying its corresponding uniqueidentifier. For example, in some embodiments, the display generationmodule 302 may instruct one or more of the MDS devices 120 to gray out(e.g., dim, shade, clear, etc.) display of its corresponding uniqueidentifier. Additionally or alternatively, the display generation module302 may be further configured to instruct one or more of the MDS devices120 to capture an image (e.g., via a corresponding camera 124) of one ormore other MDS devices 120.

The communication module 304 facilitates communications with the one ormore MDS devices 120. In operation, the communication module 304 maytransmit the product information and other types of data (e.g., theunique identifier, commands, messages, etc.) generated by the displaygeneration module 302 to one or more of the MDS devices 120. To do so,the communication module 304 may send communications to one or more ofthe MDS devices 120 over the network 130 using the IP address assignedto each MDS device 122. Of course, it should be understood that in someembodiments, the communication module 304 may send the samecommunication to a plurality of the MDS devices 120 using a suitablebroadcast address.

The image analysis module 306 may receive images captured by one or moreof the MDS devices 120. In operation, the communication module 304 mayreceive the captured images from the MDS devices 120 and thereafter sendthe images to the image analysis module 306 for processing. As discussedabove, in some embodiments, one or more MDS devices 120 located on oneside of an aisle may capture images (illustratively shown in FIGS.6A-6F) of one or more MDS devices 120 located on the other side of theaisle (illustratively shown in FIG. 5). In such embodiments, each of theMDS devices 120 located on the other side of the aisle may display theirunique identifiers prior to image capture as instructed by the displaygeneration module 302 (illustratively shown in FIG. 4). In that way,each of the captured images received by the image analysis module 306may be embodied as a digital image representing one or more MDS devices120 and its corresponding unique identifier.

Upon receiving the captured images, the image analysis module 306 maystitch together the received images to generate a composite image of theone or more MDS devices 120 located on the opposite side of the aisle(illustratively shown in FIG. 7). To do so, the image analysis module306 may perform edge detection and/or pattern recognition on each of thereceived images. In such embodiments, the resulting composite image maybe a digital representation of the one or more MDS devices 120 locatedon the opposite side of the aisle.

The image analysis module 306 may also facilitate determining thelocation of each of the one or more MDS devices 120 located on theopposite side of the aisle. To do so, the image analysis module 306 mayalso identify one or more of the unique numbers corresponding to the oneor more MDS devices 120 represented in the composite image. In someembodiments, the location of at least one MDS device 122 located on theopposite side of the aisle may be known (e.g., manually configured by auser or administrator of the MDS server 102). As such, image analysismodule 306 may first identify, from within the composite image, theunique identifier corresponding to the MDS device 122 for which thelocation is previously known. Thereafter, the image analysis module 306may identify one or more unique identifiers corresponding to one or moreMDS devices 120 located in proximity of the MDS device 122 for which thelocation is previously known. Using the location of the MDS device 122for which the location is already known as a reference point, the imageanalysis module 306 may then determine a location for each of the one ormore MDS devices 120 identified as being in proximity. The imageanalysis module 306 may perform similar identification operations untilall of the unique identifiers corresponding to the MDS devices 120 inthe composite image are identified. That is, for each MDS device 122identified within the composite image, the image analysis module 306 mayidentify one or more other or “neighbor” MDS devices 120. For each new“neighbor” MDS device 122 identified within the composite image, theimage analysis module 306 may determine a corresponding location as afunction of a previously identified location for another “neighbor” MDSdevice 122. In that way, the MDS server 102 may determine the locationof each of the MDS devices 120 located on the located on the oppositeside of the aisle.

The MDS location database 112 may store location data corresponding toone or more of the MDS devices 120. Additionally, the MDS locationdatabase 112 may also store any other type of data associated with theone or more MDS devices 120. For example, in some embodiments, the MDSlocation database 112 may store the IP address and unique identifiercorresponding to each MDS device 122. In some embodiments, the MDSlocation database 112 may cooperate with the image analysis module 306to facilitate determining the location of one or more of the MDS devices120. For example, the MDS location database 112 may correlate the uniqueidentifiers identified from within a composite image with correspondinglocation information determined by the image analysis module 306. Insome embodiments, the image analysis module 306 may be configured toobtain the unique identifier and corresponding location (e.g., apreviously known location or a determined location) of one or more ofthe MDS devices 120 from the MDS location database 112.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, a plurality of MDS devices120 (referenced as MDS devices 402-424 in FIG. 4) may be incorporatedin, or otherwise secured to, a shelving unit 400 located on one side ofa shopping aisle. As discussed above, each of the plurality of MDSdevices 120 includes a camera 124 or other suitable image capture devicefor capturing an image of one or more other MDS devices 120 located onanother shelving unit located on the opposite of the aisle.Additionally, as discussed above, the MDS server 102 generates a uniqueidentifier for each of the plurality of MDS devices 120. In someembodiments, each of the MDS devices 120 may display its correspondingunique identifier in response to receiving a command or a message fromthe MDS server 102. For example, the MDS server 102 may instruct MDSdevice 402 to display the unique identifier “-23-”, MDS device 404 todisplay the unique identifier “-897-”, MDS device 406 to display theunique identifier “-34-”, MDS device 408 to display the uniqueidentifier “-408-”, MDS device 410 to display the unique identifier“-469-”, MDS device 412 to display the unique identifier “-45-”, MDSdevice 414 display the unique identifier “-324-”, MDS device 416 todisplay the unique identifier “-3390-”, MDS device 418 to display theunique identifier “-87-”, MDS device 420 to display the uniqueidentifier “-98-”, MDS device 422 to display the unique identifier“-9-”, and MDS device 424 to display the unique identifier “-658-”. Itshould be understood that the unique identifier may not always beembodied as a unique number surrounded on either side by a “dash mark.”For example, the unique identifier may be embodied additionally oralternatively as a unique character string, an image, a barcode, or anyother suitable type of displayable mark or notation for uniquelyidentifying each of the MDS devices 120.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, a shopping aisle 500includes a shelving unit 510 located on one side of the aisle 500 andanother shelving unit (e.g., the shelving unit 400) located on theopposite side of the aisle 500. Each of the shelving units 510, 400 oneither side of the aisle 500 includes a plurality of MDS devices 120.One or more MDS devices 120 located on one side of the aisle 500 maycapture an image of one or more other MDS devices 120 located on theother side of the aisle 500. For example, as shown in the illustrativeembodiment, the shelving unit 510 may include an MDS device 512. The MDSdevice 512 may capture an image of one or more MDS devices 120 (e.g.,MDS device 406, MDS device 408, MDS device 414, and MDS device 416)attached to rows of the shelving unit 400 located on the other side ofthe aisle 500. Similarly, the shelving unit 400 may include the MDSdevice 420, which may capture an image of one or more MDS devices 120attached to rows of the shelving unit 510 located on the side of theaisle 500 opposite to the shelving unit 400. It should be understoodthat although only one MDS device 420, 512 per shelving unit is shown ascapturing images of MDS devices 120 located on an opposite shelvingunit, any number of MDS devices 120 on either shelving unit 400, 510 maycapture images of one or more other MDS devices 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6F, an embodiment of various images 600-650captured by the cameras 124 of the one or more MDS devices 120 is shown.As discussed, one or more MDS devices 120 attached to one shelving unitmay capture an image of one or more other MDS devices 120 attached to anopposite shelving unit (e.g., a shelving unit located across the aisle).For example, as shown in the illustrative embodiment, MDS devices 120(e.g., MDS device 512, etc.) attached to the shelving unit 510 maycapture various images 600-650 of one or more other MDS devices 120attached to another shelving unit (e.g., the shelving unit 400) locatedacross the aisle. As discussed, the captured images may include the oneor more other MDS devices 120 and the corresponding unique identifierbeing displayed by each.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a composite image 700 formed by “stitching”together the various images captured by the MDS devices 120 is shown. Asdiscussed above, the MDS server 102 in some embodiments may stitchtogether images of MDS devices 120 on one side of an aisle captured byMDS devices 120 located on the opposite side of the aisle. For example,the MDS server 102 may stitch together the various captured images600-650 of the MDS devices 120 attached to the shelving unit 400 thatwere captured by the other MDS devices 120 attached to the shelving unit510. To do so, the MDS server 102 may utilize any suitable imagemodification methodology or technology to generate the composite image700 such as, for example, edge detection and/or pattern recognitiontechnology.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an embodiment of the shelving unit 400,including the MDS devices 402-424, after the MDS server 102 hasperformed identification on the generated composite image 700 is shown.As discussed above, the MDS server 102 may instruct one or more of theidentified MDS devices 402-424 to stop displaying its correspondingunique identifier. In response to receiving such an instruction, the oneor more identified MDS devices 420-424 may gray out (e.g., dim, shade,clear, etc.) display of its corresponding unique identifier. Forexample, as shown in the illustrative embodiment, one or more MDSdevices 120 (e.g., the MDS device 406) may be instructed to gray out 850its corresponding unique identifier in response to having its locationidentified within the composite image 700 by the MDS server 102. Incontrast, in response to not having its location identified within thecomposite image 700 by the MDS server 102, one or more MDS devices(e.g., the MDS device 404) may not receive an instruction to gray outdisplay of its corresponding unique identifier. As a result, those MDSdevices 120 (e.g., MDS device 404) may continue to display 810 theircorresponding unique identifiers. In that way, a user or administratorof the MDS server 102 may only be required to enter the locations of theMDS devices 120 manually for which the MDS server 102 was unable toidentify a location from the composite image 700.

Referring now to FIG. 9, one embodiment of a method 900 for determininga location of the MDS devices 120 begins with block 902. In block 902,the MDS server 102 transmits a unique identifier to each MDS device 122.As discussed above, in various embodiments, the unique identifier may beembodied as a unique number surrounded on either side by a “dash mark.”Additionally or alternatively, the unique identifier may be embodied asa unique character string, an image, a barcode, or any other suitabletype of displayable mark or notation for uniquely identifying each ofthe MDS devices 120. The method 900 then advances to block 904.

In block 904, the MDS server 102 initiates a discovery mode on each ofthe MDS devices 120. To do so, the MDS server 102 may generate and thentransmit one or more messages and/or commands that cause one or more ofthe MDS devices 120 to enter the discovery mode. In block 906, the MDSserver 102 may instruct each of the MDS devices 120 to display itscorresponding unique identifier in some embodiments.

Subsequently, in block 908, the MDS server 102 receives one or moreimages captured by one or more of the MDS devices 120. In someembodiments, one or more MDS devices 120 attached to a shelving unit(e.g., the shelving unit 510) on one side of an aisle (e.g., the aisle500) may capture images (e.g., the captured images 600-650) of one ormore MDS devices 120 attached to another shelving unit (e.g., theshelving unit 400) located on the other side of the aisle. It should beunderstood that the MDS server 102 may receive images captured by MDSdevices 120 on either side of the aisle 500.

In block 910, the MDS server 102 “stitches” together the received imagesto generate the composite image 700 (see FIG. 7) of the one or more MDSdevices 120 located on one side of the aisle 500. That is, for each sideof the aisle, the MDS server 102 may “stitch” together images capturedby MDS devices 120 located on the opposite side of the aisle 500. Tofacilitate stitching together of the captured images 600-650 receivedfrom the one or more MDS devices 120 into a composite image 700, the MDSserver 102 may perform edge detection and/or pattern recognition on thecaptured images 600-650 in blocks 912 and 914 as discussed above.

In block 916, the MDS server 102 identifies a unique identifier of aregistered MDS device 122 from the composite image 700. The registeredMDS device 122 may be embodied as a MDS device 122 in which its locationon a particular shelving unit (e.g., the shelving unit 400) ispreviously known (e.g., manually configured by a user or administratorof the MDS server 102). In response to identifying the unique identifiercorresponding to the registered MDS device 122 from within the compositeimage 700, the method 900 advances to block 918.

In block 918, the MDS server 102 identifies one or more uniqueidentifiers of MDS devices 120 neighboring (e.g., in close proximity to)the registered MDS device 122 from the composite image 700. Using theknown location of the registered MDS device 122 as a reference point,the MDS server 102 may then determine the location of each of the MDSdevices 120 neighboring the registered MDS device 122. The method 900then advances to block 920 in which the MDS server 102 updates adatabase to thereby associate the unique identifier of each of theneighboring MDS devices 120 identified within the composite image 700with its determined location. The method 900 then advances to block 922.

In block 922, the MDS server 102 instructs each of the MDS devices 120identified as neighboring the registered MDS device 122 to gray out(e.g., dim, shade, clear, etc.) display of its corresponding uniqueidentifier. In block 924, the MDS server 102 identifies one or moreunique identifiers of MDS devices 120 neighboring (e.g., in closeproximity to) the next MDS device 122 for which the location is known.It should be understood that the next MDS device 122 in some embodimentsmay be one of the MDS devices 120 identified as neighboring theregistered MDS device 122. Using the known location of the next MDSdevice 122 as a reference point, the MDS server 102 may then determinethe location of each of the MDS devices 120 neighboring the next MDSdevice 122. The method 900 then advances to block 926 in which the MDSserver 102 updates a database to thereby associate the unique identifierof each of the neighboring MDS devices 120 identified from within thecomposite image 700 with its determined location. The method 900 thenadvances to block 928.

In block 928, the MDS server 102 instructs each of the MDS devices 120identified as neighboring the next MDS device 122 to gray out (e.g.,dim, shade, clear, etc.) display of its corresponding unique identifier.Subsequently, in block 930, the MDS server 102 determines whether thenext MDS device 122 is the last MDS device 122 identified from withinthe composite image 700. For example, the MDS server 102 determineswhether any other MDS devices 120 for which the location is known (e.g.,manually configured and/or determined by the MDS server 102) remain. Inresponse to determining that the next MDS device 122 is not the last MDSdevice 122 identified from within the composite image 700, the method900 loops back to block 924 in which the MDS server 102 identifies oneor more unique identifiers of MDS devices 120 neighboring (e.g., inclose proximity to) the next MDS device 122 for which the location isknown.

EXAMPLES

Illustrative examples of the devices, systems, and methods disclosedherein are provided below. An embodiment of the devices, systems, andmethods may include any one or more, and any combination of, theexamples described below.

Example 1 includes a server for determining a location of micro digitalsignage devices. The server includes a display generation module to (i)generate a unique identifier corresponding to each of a plurality ofmicro digital signage devices and (ii) instruct each of the plurality ofmicro digital signage devices to display its corresponding uniqueidentifier; and an image analysis module to (i) receive images of afirst group of the plurality of micro digital signage devices capturedby a second group of the plurality of micro digital signage devices,(ii) generate a composite image of the first group of the plurality ofmicro digital signage devices from the captured images of the firstgroup of the plurality of micro digital signage devices, (iii) identify,from the composite image, a first unique identifier corresponding to afirst micro digital signage device having a known location, (iv)identify, from the composite image, a second unique identifiercorresponding to a second micro digital signage device that is adjacentto the first micro digital signage device, and (v) determine a locationof the second micro digital signage device as a function of the knownlocation of the first micro digital signage device.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and wherein thedisplay generation module is further to instruct one or more of theplurality of micro digital signage devices to stop displaying itscorresponding unique identifier.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1 and 2, andwherein to instruct one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices to stop displaying its corresponding unique identifierincludes to instruct one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices to at least one of: gray out, dim, shade, or clear itscorresponding unique identifier.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-3, andwherein to instruct one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices to stop displaying its corresponding unique identifierincludes to instruct the first and second micro digital signage devicesto stop displaying their corresponding unique identifiers in response toidentifying the corresponding first and second unique identifiers.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-4, andwherein to generate a composite image of the first group of theplurality of micro digital signage devices from the captured imagesincludes to perform at least one of (i) an edge detection process and(ii) a pattern recognition process on the captured images of the firstgroup of the plurality of micro digital signage devices.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-5, andwherein the display generation module is further to instruct at leastone of the micro digital signage devices to capture an image of one ormore other micro digital signage devices.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6, andwherein the display generation module is further to generate productinformation to be displayed on a display of one or more of the microdigital signage devices.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7, andwherein the product information to be displayed on the display of one ormore of the micro digital signage devices includes at least one of aproduct price, product reviews, product discount information, a recipe,product nutrition information, or a promotion.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-8 and furtherincludes a data storage to store the unique identifier, location data,and an Internet Protocol address corresponding to each of the pluralityof micro digital signage devices.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-9, andwherein the image analysis module is further to update the location datacorresponding to the second micro digital signage device in the datastorage in response to determining the location of the second microdigital signage device.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-10 andfurther includes a communication module to communicate over a networkwith one or more of the plurality of micro digital signage devices.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11, andwherein to communicate over a network with one or more of the pluralityof micro digital signage devices includes to (i) transmit each generatedunique identifier to a corresponding micro digital signage device, (ii)transmit instructions to each of the micro digital signage devices tocapture an image, and (iii) receive captured images and information fromone or more of the plurality of micro digital signage devices.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-12, andwherein the unique identifier for each of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices includes at least one of: a unique number, a uniquecharacter string, a unique image, or a unique barcode.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-13, andwherein the first group of the plurality of micro digital signagedevices is attached to a shelving unit located on a first side of anaisle, wherein the second group of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices is attached to a different shelving unit located on asecond side of the aisle opposite the first side, and wherein to receiveimages of a first group of the plurality of micro digital signagedevices captured by a second group of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices includes to receive images of the first group of theplurality of micro digital signage devices attached to the shelving unitlocated on the first side of the aisle captured by the second group ofthe plurality of micro digital signage devices attached to the differentshelving unit located on the second side of the aisle.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-14, andwherein the first group of the plurality of micro digital signagedevices are attached to one or more rows of the shelving unit located onthe first side of the aisle, and wherein the second group of theplurality of micro digital signage devices are attached to one or morerows of the different shelving unit located on the second side of theaisle.

Example 16 includes a method for determining a location of micro digitalsignage devices. The method includes generating a unique identifiercorresponding to each of a plurality of micro digital signage devices;instructing each of the plurality of micro digital signage devices todisplay its corresponding unique identifier; receiving images of a firstgroup of the plurality of micro digital signage devices captured by asecond group of the plurality of micro digital signage devices;generating a composite image of the first group of the plurality ofmicro digital signage devices from the captured images of the firstgroup of the plurality of micro digital signage devices; identifying,from the composite image, a first unique identifier corresponding to afirst micro digital signage device having a known location; identifying,from the composite image, a second unique identifier corresponding to asecond micro digital signage device that is adjacent to the first microdigital signage device; and determining a location of the second microdigital signage device as a function of the known location of the firstmicro digital signage device.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 16 and furtherincludes instructing one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices to stop displaying its corresponding unique identifier.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16 and 17, andwherein instructing one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices to stop displaying its corresponding unique identifierincludes instructing one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices to at least one of: gray out, dim, shade, or clear itscorresponding unique identifier.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-18, andwherein instructing one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices to stop displaying its corresponding unique identifierincludes instructing the first and second digital signage devices tostop displaying their corresponding unique identifiers in response toidentifying the unique identifiers corresponding to each of the firstand second digital signage devices.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-19, andwherein generating a composite image of the first group of the pluralityof micro digital signage devices from the captured images includesperforming at least one of (i) an edge detection process and (ii) apattern recognition process on the captured images of the first group ofthe plurality of micro digital signage devices.

Example 21 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-20 andfurther includes instructing at least one of the micro digital signagedevices to capture an image of one or more other micro digital signagedevices.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-21 andfurther includes generating product information to be displayed on adisplay of one or more of the micro digital signage devices.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-22, andwherein the product information to be displayed on the display of one ormore of the micro digital signage devices includes at least one of aproduct price, product reviews, product discount information, a recipe,product nutrition information, or a promotion.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-23 andfurther includes storing the unique identifier, location data, and anInternet Protocol address corresponding to each of the plurality ofmicro digital signage devices in a data storage.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-24 andfurther includes updating the location data corresponding to the secondmicro digital signage device in the data storage in response todetermining the location of the second micro digital signage device.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-25 andfurther includes communicating over a network with one or more of theplurality of micro digital signage devices.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-26, andwherein communicating over a network with one or more of the pluralityof micro digital signage devices includes (i) transmitting eachgenerated unique identifier to a corresponding micro digital signagedevice, (ii) transmitting instructions to each of the micro digitalsignage devices to capture an image, and (iii) receiving captured imagesand information from one or more of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-27, andwherein the unique identifier for each of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices includes at least one of: a unique number, a uniquecharacter string, a unique image, or a unique barcode.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-28, andwherein the first group of the plurality of micro digital signagedevices is attached to a shelving unit located on a first side of anaisle, wherein the second group of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices is attached to a different shelving unit located on asecond side of the aisle opposite to the first side, and whereinreceiving images of a first group of the plurality of micro digitalsignage devices captured by a second group of the plurality of microdigital signage devices includes receiving images of the first group ofthe plurality of micro digital signage devices attached to the shelvingunit located on the first side of the aisle captured by the second groupof the plurality of micro digital signage devices attached to thedifferent shelving unit located on the second side of the aisle.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 16-29, andwherein the first group of the plurality of micro digital signagedevices are attached to one or more rows of the shelving unit located onthe first side of the aisle, and wherein the second group of theplurality of micro digital signage devices are attached to one or morerows of the different shelving unit located on the second side of theaisle.

Example 31 includes a computing device for determining a location ofmicro digital signage devices, the computing device includes aprocessor; and a memory having stored therein a plurality ofinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the computingdevice to perform the method of any of Examples 16-30.

Example 32 includes one or more machine readable media including aplurality of instructions stored thereon that in response to beingexecuted result in a computing device performing the method of any ofExamples 16-30.

Example 33 includes a micro digital signage device for determining alocation of another micro digital signage device. The micro digitalsignage device includes communication circuitry to receive a uniqueidentifier from a micro digital signage server; a data storage to storethe unique identifier received from the micro digital signage server; adisplay to display the unique identifier in response to thecommunication circuitry receiving instructions from the micro digitalsignage server; a camera to capture an image of one or more other microdigital signage devices in response to the communication circuitryreceiving instructions from the micro digital signage server; andwherein the communication circuitry further to transmit the capturedimage of the one or more other micro digital signage devices to themicro digital signage server for identification, and wherein the displayis to stop displaying the unique identifier in response to thecommunication circuitry receiving instructions from the micro digitalsignage server.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 33, and wherein tostop displaying the unique identifier in response to the communicationcircuitry receiving instructions from the micro digital signage serverincludes to at least one of gray out, dim, shade, or clear the uniqueidentifier.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 33 and 34,wherein the display is further to display product information receivedfrom the micro digital signage server.

Example 36 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 33-35, andwherein the product information received from the micro digital signageserver includes at least one of: a product price, product reviews,product discount information, a recipe, product nutrition information,or a promotion.

Example 37 includes subject matter of any of Examples 33-36, and whereinthe unique identifier includes at least one of: a unique number, aunique character string, a unique image, or a unique barcode.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of Example 33-37, and wherein themicro digital signage device is attached to a shelving unit located on afirst side of an aisle, wherein the one or more other micro digitalsignage devices are attached to a different shelving unit located on asecond side of the aisle opposite the first side, and wherein to capturean image of one or more other micro digital signage devices includes tocapture an image of one or more other micro digital signage devicesattached to the different shelving located on the second side of theaisle.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 33-38, andwherein the micro digital signage device is attached to a row of theshelving unit located on the first side of the aisle, and wherein theone or more other micro digital signage devices are attached to one ormore rows of the different shelving unit located on the second side ofthe aisle.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A micro digital signage device fordetermining a location of another micro digital signage device, themicro digital signage device comprising: communication circuitry toreceive a unique identifier from a micro digital signage server, whereinthe unique identifier uniquely identifies the micro digital signagedevice from other micro digital signage devices; a data storage to storethe unique identifier received from the micro digital signage server; adisplay to display the unique identifier in response to thecommunication circuitry receiving instructions from the micro digitalsignage server; a camera to capture an image of another micro digitalsignage device that is attached to a shelving unit different from ashelving unit to which the micro digital signage device is attached inresponse to the communication circuitry receiving instructions from themicro digital signage server; and wherein the communication circuitryfurther to transmit the captured image of the one or more other microdigital signage devices to the micro digital signage server foridentification, and wherein the display is to stop displaying the uniqueidentifier in response to the communication circuitry receivinginstructions from the micro digital signage server.
 2. The micro digitalsignage device of claim 1, wherein to stop displaying the uniqueidentifier in response to the communication circuitry receivinginstructions from the micro digital signage server comprises to at leastone of gray out, dim, shade, or clear the unique identifier.
 3. Themicro digital signage device of claim 2, wherein the display is furtherto display product information received from the micro digital signageserver.
 4. The micro digital signage device of claim 3, wherein theproduct information received from the micro digital signage servercomprising at least one of: a product price, product reviews, productdiscount information, a recipe, product nutrition information, or apromotion.
 5. The micro digital signage device of claim 1, whereinunique identifier comprises at least one of a unique number, a uniquecharacter string, a unique image, or a unique barcode.
 6. The microdigital signage device of claim 1, wherein the micro digital signagedevice is attached to a row of the shelving unit located on the firstside of the aisle, and wherein the one or more other micro digitalsignage devices are attached to one or more rows of the differentshelving unit located on the second side of the aisle.
 7. One or moremachine readable storage media comprising a plurality of instructionsstored thereon that, in response to being executed, cause a microdigital signage device to: receive device, a unique identifier from amicro digital signage server, wherein the unique identifier uniquelyidentifies the micro digital signage device from other micro digitalsignage devices; store the unique identifier in a local storage;display, on a display of the micro digital signage device, the uniqueidentifier in response to receipt of instructions from the micro digitalsignage server to display the unique identifier; capture, by a camera ofthe micro digital signage device, an image of another micro digitalsignage device that is attached to a shelving unit different from ashelving unit to which the micro digital signage device is attached inresponse to receipt of instructions from the micro digital signageserver to capture the image; transmit the captured image of the one ormore other micro digital signage devices to the micro digital signageserver for identification; and stop the displaying of the uniqueidentifier on the display in response to receipt of instructions fromthe micro digital signage server to stop the display of the uniqueidentifier.
 8. The one or more machine readable storage media of claim7, wherein to stop the displaying of the unique identifier comprises toat least one of gray out, dim, shade, or clear the unique identifier onthe display.
 9. The one or more machine readable storage media of claim8, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the micro digitalsignage device to display, on the display of the micro digital signagedevice, product information in response to receipt of the productinformation from the micro digital signage server.
 10. The one or moremachine readable storage media of claim 9, wherein the productinformation comprises at least one of: a product price, product reviews,product discount information, a recipe, product nutrition information,or a promotion.
 11. The one or more machine readable storage media ofclaim 7, wherein the unique identifier comprises at least one of aunique number, a unique character string, a unique image, or a uniquebarcode.
 12. A method for determining a location of another microdigital signage device, the method comprising: receiving, by a microdigital signage device, a unique identifier from a micro digital signageserver, wherein the unique identifier uniquely identifies the microdigital signage device from other micro digital signage devices;storing, by the micro digital signage device, the unique identifier in alocal storage; displaying, on a display of the micro digital signagedevice, the unique identifier in response to receiving instructions fromthe micro digital signage server to display the unique identifier;capturing, by a camera of the micro digital signage device, an image ofanother micro digital signage device that is attached to a shelving unitdifferent from a shelving unit to which the micro digital signage deviceis attached in response to receiving instructions from the micro digitalsignage server to capture the image; transmitting, by the micro digitalsignage device, the captured image of the one or more other microdigital signage devices to the micro digital signage server foridentification; and stopping, by the micro digital signage device, thedisplaying of the unique identifier on the display in response toreceiving instructions from the micro digital signage server to stop thedisplay of the unique identifier.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinstopping the displaying of the unique identifier comprises to at leastone of graying out, dimming, shading, or clearing the unique identifieron the display.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdisplaying, on the display of the micro digital signage device, productinformation in response to receiving the product information from themicro digital signage server.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein theproduct information comprises at least one of: a product price, productreviews, product discount information, a recipe, product nutritioninformation, or a promotion.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein theunique identifier comprises at least one of a unique number, a uniquecharacter string, a unique image, or a unique barcode.